Reversible buckle



June 14, 1949. D. A. BEAVER 7 REVERSIBLE BUCKLE 7 Filed July 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 11471111111, IIII-IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA'IIIIIJ lNVENTOR Don/AL 0 A 55A vm BY Q ATTORNEY June M, 149. v D. A. SEAVER 2,473,225

REVERSIBLE BUCKLE Filed July 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 the buckle frame.

Patented June 14, 1949 REVERSIBLE BUCKLE Donald A. Seaver, West Cheshire, Conn., assignor to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Cnn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 1, 1944, Serial N0. 543,091

16 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles adapted for use on straps, belts and the like in adjustably securing the ends of such members. More particularly, the invention relates to devices of this kind wherein the buckle frame has two similar clamping or gripper plates disposed at opposite sides of the frame for adjustably securing straps or belt ends within and between said plates and Still more particularly, the invention relates to buckles wherein the pivoted end portions of the clamp or gripper plates have cylindrical bars terminating at their ends in ec centrically disposed pivots to provide on the bars camming members to force the belt or strap in the direction of slotted or other gripper surfaces on adjacent portions of the buckle frame in securely retaining the belt or strap in position on the frame. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of buckle which I employ, indicating in dot and dash lines the arrangement or strap or belt ends secured in the buckle frame.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the buckle detached, showing the clamp or gripper plates in extended position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, omitting part of the construc tion.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of one side of the pivot end portion of one of the gripper plates detached.

Fig. 6 is a side edge View showing a modified form of clamp or gripper plate which I employ.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a buckle frame showing a modification.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing another form of construction.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another form of buckle which I employ.

Fig. 10 is a partial section on the line I0-lll of Fig. 9 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing another form of buckle; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2l2 of Fig. 11.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a. buckle, reversible in the sense that either side surface may be considered the outer side, and wherein strap, belt or other support ends may be inserted into or coupled with the buckle from either side portion thereof. Further, I provide a bucklewhich maintains the belt or strap in substantially parallel relationship to each other upon flat and parallel end surfaces of the buckle frame offset with respect to each other. Still further, I pro-' vide on the clamping or gripper plates of the buckles eccentric or cam like gripper bars formed by pivot ends arranged eccentrically as well as offset with respect to the axis of the bars which are cylindrical in cross sectional form. It will also appear from the accompanying drawings that outer surfaces of the plates or buckle, when in closed position, are disposed beyond the pivot bearing portions of the buckle frame to avoid exposure of any protruding members beyond thesurfaces of said plates, particularly to prevent pressures of such projecting members upon the body of the wearer. Other distinctive features of the invention will be more fully and completely set forth in the following detailed description.

In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is shown one form of buckle, and in these figures, l5 represents a buckle frame comprising an elongated plate having 0iT-.

set and substantially parallel end bearing surfaces or parts l6 and I1, these parts being offset or arranged in different planes by an angular central portion [8, the latter having a plurality of longitudinal corrugations, as seen at I9 in Fig. 3 of the drawing, to give' rigidity to the frame. The bear-. ing parts or plates l6 and I! each include an elongated aperture 20 and 2l' which extend the full width of the plates. At the ends of the plates are substantially triangular pivot bearings 22 and 23, each arranged at right angles to the plates, and, as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the bearings 22 are directed downwardly, whereas the bearings 23 are directed upwardly.

The bearings 22 and 23 have transversely alined' apertures 24 and 25 for receiving the pivot or pintle ends 26 of two similar clamp or gripper plates or members'2l and 2111. As both of the plates 21 and 2111 are of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both.

The plates 21 and 21a, are substantially rectangular in form, and include depending sideflanges 28 which in the closed position of the plates are adapted to rest upon the bearing plates 16 and H, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. One end of each of these plates is offset, as seen at 29, note Fig. 5 of the. drawing, and the offset portion terminates in a cylindrical bearing or clamp rod 3 or element 30 which is shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The rod 30 is of such length as to fit freely but snugly within the bearings 22 and 23.

It will be noted from a consideration of Figs. 4 and 5, that the pivot or pintle ends 26 constitute extensions of the tubular or cylindrical rods 30, but these pintle ends are substantially :semi-circular in cross sectional form and have outer curved bearing surfaces 3| which are of less radius than the radius of the rods 30 and formed on centers offset with respect to the centers of axis of the rods, as will clearly appear in Fig. 5 of the drawing. This construction produces not only an eccentric arrangement of the rods with respect to the pivot or pintle ends 26, but also produces a locking effect of the clamp or gripper plates by reason of the offsetting of said pivot or pintle ends with respect to the gripper bars. This oifsetting produces somewhat of a toggle gripper action of the bars with respect to the belt or=strap.

In Fig. '7 of the drawing is shown a modified form of buckle frame '82, which is generally speaking of the same cross sectional contour as the frame l5, that is to say, includes the ofiset bearing plates 33 and 34, ofiset by the central angular and longitudinally corrugated portion 35, the plates 33 and 34hav-ing theangular'bearings 36 and '31 similarto the bearings 22 and 23. The primary diiference'in' the frame 32 lies in the fact that the apertures 38 and 39 are formed by shearing and-offsetting portions of the plates, as seen at ll! and M. -'Ihese offset portions '40 .and 4-1 will give a little greater rigidity to the bearing plates, while at the :same'time, will present relatively sharp corner portions, as at 42 and 43, to insure gripping :action of the belt or strap, as with the construction shown in Figs. 1 1:04 inclusiye.

In Fig. .8 of the drawing iiS:ShWn another form of buckle frame 44, whichdiliers from the frame Lin dispensing with the apertures :20 and 2|, and instead tooth like or roughened surfaces 45 and 4,6 are provided -:on :the plates 41 and 48. These plates anditheother structure .of "the frame being .otherwise the :same as the frame 15, and from this standpoint, :no further description is deemed :necessary.

:In Figs. .9 and .10 of the drawing is shown a modification of the structure shown 'in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, wherein :a :buckle frame 4-9 :is similar in all respects to the frame 1:5 with the one exception that vapertured lugs 50 :are stamped from the "material of the frame adjacent the bearings 51 and :52 which .are equivalent to the bearings 22 and 23, and the apertures 53 of these lugs are adapted to receive zbeads or:indentures 54 formed on the flanges-or side walls .55 of clamp or gripper :plates 56 and 5621 which are generally of the same construction as the1plates'2-l and 21a. The only other difference ;in the plates 56 and 56a is inithe 'fact that thetfianges ors'ide walls 55 thereof, are of greater depth and are spaced apart suflicientlyto extend over the bearings 5i and 52 so that the walls '55 of opposed plates 56 and 56a abut, .as at .51, when :the plates are closed position. With "this construction, the extension of the flanges 55 onto the hearings 5| and 52, which-they engage closely, maintains the plates 56 and 56a against :shifting movement on the buckle frame, and the beads or indentures 54 entering the apertures 53 will reta'm the plates against accidental displacement while permitting forceable movement .of the'plates into open position.

In Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawing is shown an other adaptation of the invention which differs from the structure of Figs. 9 and 10 in reversing the arrangement of the plate retaining means and in modifying the structural contour of the side flanges or walls of the buckle gripper plates. In Figs. 11 and 12, 58 represents a buckle frame which again is generally of the contour of the frame 15 and modifies theframe 5 to the extent that lugs 59 are stamped from the bearing plates *of these frames and offset outwardly to lie over theside walls or flanges 69 of the gripper plates El and 6| a. The flanges or Walls 60 have apertures 62 to receive beads or indentures 63 formed in the lugs toretain the plates BI and Bio. against accidental displacement.

Asseen in Fig. 11 of the drawing, the frame 58 has triangular bearings 64 and 65, otherwise similarto the bearings 22 and 23 of Fig. 1. It will also appear that the plates 6| and 61a, include on the flange or wall portions 60 thereof triangular extensions 66 adapted to abut with each other and with the angular wall portions .61 of the bearings 64 and in forming a complete closure at the side portions of the buckle, as will clearly appear in Fig. '11 of the drawing. From the foregoing, it will be apparent'that the triangular portions 65 of the walls 60 are in alinement with the bearings B4 and B5, aswell as with each other in forming the abutment and closure between the two-gripper plates -6I and Gla, when said plates are in closed operative position and engaging belt or strap ends, as indicated in dot @and dash lines in Fig. 11.

With the several forms of clamp or gripper plates employed on the buckle frame, at least one of the plates may be madeof a slightly 'diiferent construction, as shown for example, in Fig. 6 of the-drawing, in which figure 68 represents a plate which may be considered as similar to any of the plates 2-'l-2'la., 5656a or til-61a, and difiers from such other plates in providing a rounded and closed end wall 69 in :the end of the plate opposed to the end having the gripper bar In similar to the bar 30 or equivalent bars on the other plates defined and which have not been specifically described in that they are-common to the'bar 30.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing H represents one of thepivot or pintle ends on the bar 10, similar to the pivot or pintle end 26 of Fig. 5. The purpose of the "rounded end 691s to adapt this particular plate to form a finish on the buckle to an end of a strap or belt which terminates within the rounded end '69. This may constitute the inner plate to which the inner portion of the belt or strap is attached, in which event, the belt or strap will have an engagement reverse to that shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, the outer terminal end of the strap or belt may terminate within, forexample, the outer plate 2'! of Fig. 1. in which event, again the belt will be ina reversed position from that shown in dot and dash lines and in such latter uses, adjustment of the belt will take place upon the end .of the belt disposed upon the inner surface of the last mentioned end or on the lower part of the belt, as seen in Fig. l.

It will also be understood that where limited adjustments as to size or belt lengths are required, both of the gripper plates may have the rounded ends as at 69, and both belt ends maintained within the length of the plates. In other words, assuming that :the spacing between the gripper bars 30 as seen in Fig. '2 :of the drawing was a matter of an inch and a quarter, let us say in considering the point of contact of the bars with the belt ends, then it is reasonable to understand that a variation in belt size from an inch and a half to two inches could very well be provided, and in emergency cases, this could possibly be extended to three or more inches, bearing in mind that the belt ends can actually extend to an abutting relationship with the curved ends in the smallest dimension of the resulting belt and to a point closely adjacent each of the gripper bars in the largest dimension of the belt.

The gripper plates may also be termed finger pieces for the gripper elements facilitating movement of the eccentric gripper elements into operative and inoperative positions. In addition to forming finger pieces, the plates also provide covers for opposed surfaces of the frame, as well as that part of the straps or belts arranged thereon.

It will be understood that no shape, design or special ornamental contour has been given to the clamp or gripper plates in the several figures, but in actual practise, the flat surfaces of these plates may be ornamented or characterized in any desired manner, as with other devices of this kind. Furthermore, the buckle may be composed of any desired material and the proportioned sizes or dimensions of the buckle may be varied to suit different belt widths and also to adapt the same to belt or straps of different thicknesses. In considering products of the kind under consideration as being formed from plastic materials, or combinations of plastics and metal, different colors or color combinations may be employed. That is to say, one of the gripper plates may be of one color and the other of another color and both of these may be in contrast to the frame of the buckle which in some instances may be composed of metal. Thus it will be apparent that a wide range of buckle structures can be developed incorporating the simple structural features in the reversible buckle herein described, simple in the sense that substantially two parts are formed, namely the frame and the gripper plate, the gripper plate being used in duplicate. This would only be modified in the event that one plate only includes a closed end wall structure as at 69 in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in diiferent planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings of an opposed plate, said means being arranged eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, and means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates.

2. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in difierent planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for piVOt-.-

ally mounting said member in the bearings of an opposed plate, said means being arranged eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping,

elements, means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, and said clamp members beyond said elements being of channel cross sectional form and concealing the adjacent plate of the buckle frame and that part of the support arranged thereon.

3. A buckle comprising a, frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in different planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminat-' ing at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearingsof an opposed plate, said means being arranged eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, said clampmembers beyond said elements being of channel cross sectional form and concealing the adjacent plate of the buckle frame and that part of the support arranged thereon, and said clamping elements being offset with respect to outer surfaces of said members in the direction of the adjacent plate of said frame.

4. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in different planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings of an opposed plate, said means being arranged.

eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, said clamp members beyond said elements being of channel cross sectional form and concealing the adjacent plate of the buckle frame and that part of the support arranged thereon, said clamping elements being offset with respect to outer surfaces of said members in the direction of the adjacent plate of said frame, and the pivot means of said rods comprising semi-circular pintles of a radius less than the radius of said rods.

5. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in different planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged uponeach of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings of an opposed plate, said means being between the clamping elements and said plates, said clamp members beyond said elements being,

of channel cross sectional form and concealing the adjacentplate of the buckle frame andthat part of the sup ort arranged-thereon, said clamp. ing elements being offset with respect to outer surfaces of said members in the direction of the adjacent plate of said frame, the pivot means of said rods comprising semi-circular pintles of a radius less than the radius of said rods and offsetwith respect to the axis of said rods.

6. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in different planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged uponeach of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings of an opposed plate, said means being arranged eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, and said last named means comprising Wall portions bordering apertures extending transversely of the plates intermediate the bearings beneath said clamping elements.

7. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular-portion disposing said plates in difierent planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings of'an opposed plate, said means being arranged eccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, means on the plates adjacent the "clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, and said last named means comprising roughened surfaces on said plates beneath the clamping elements.

8. A buckle comprising a frame, said frame having offset end plates formed by a central angular portion disposing said plates in different planes, said plates having oppositely directed side flanges forming pintle bearings, a clamp member arranged upon each of said plates and terminating at one end in a cylindrical rod, means at terminal ends of the rod of each member for pivotally mounting said member in the bearings 01' an opposed plate, said means being arranged 'ccentrically to said rods to form of said rods clamping elements, means on the plates adjacent the clamping elements of said members for securing the buckle to supports arranged between the clamping elements and said plates, said members comprising cover plates arranged over said first named plates, said cover plates having angularly extending side Walls, and the angularly extending side walls of one member abutting corresponding walls of the opposed member.

9. A buckle of the class described comprising an elongated frame, a pair of pintle bearings at each end of the frame, one pair of bearings being directed opposite to that of the other pair, the frame having a central angular wall portion ofisetting ends of the frame in plates disposed in different and parallel planes, two similar clamp members, the end of onerne'mber being pivoted to the pair of bearings at one end of the frame and one end of the other member being pivoted to the pintle bearings at the other end of the frame, pivot end portions of both members having eccentrics extending longitudinally of said end portions over adjacent plates of the frame, and said members having extending fing'erpieces adapted to'be arranged over the opposed plates of the'frame and by means of which the eccen tries of said member "are moved into operative and inoperative positions in clamping supports between the eccentrics and adjacent plates of the frame.

10. A buckle of the class described comprising an elongated frame, a pair of pintle bearings at each end of the frame, one pair of bearings beingdirected opposite'to that of the other pair, the frame having a central angular wall portion offsetting ends of the frame in plates disposed in different and parallel planes, two similar clamp members, the end of one member being pivoted to the pair of bearings at one end of the frame and one end of the other member being pivoted to the pintle bearings at the other end of the frame, pivot end portions of both members having eccentrics extending longitudinally of said end portions over adjacent plates of the frame, said members having extending fingerpieces adapted to be arranged over the opposed plates of the frame and by means of which the eccentries of said member are moved into operative and inoperative positions in clamping supports between the eccentrics and adjacent plates'of the frame, said fingerpieces comprising plates, and said plates having side flanges extending longitudinally throughout the major portion of the length of said plates.

11. A buckle of the class described comprising an elongated frame, a pair of pintle bearings at each end of the frame, one pair of bearings being directed opposite'to that of the other pair, the frame having a central angular wall portion offsetting ends of the frame in plates disposed in different and parallel planes, two similar clamp members, the end of one member being pivoted to the pair of bearings at one end of the frame and one end of the other member being pivoted to the pintle bearings at the other end of the frame, pivot end portions of both members having eccentrics extending longitudinally of said end portions over adjacent plates of the frame, said members having extending fingerpieces adapted to be arranged over the opposed plates of the frame and by means of which the eccentries of said member are moved into operative and inoperative positions in clamping supports between the eccentrics and adjacent plates of the frame, said fingerpieces comprising plates, said plates having side flanges extending longitudinal ly throughout the major portion of the length of said plates, and the flanges of one fingerpiece plate abutting the flanges of the opposed fingerpiece plate when said plates are in closed position. '12. In buckles of the class described, a buckle frame, means transversing one end of the frame forming a support engaging surface bearing at the end of said means and raised with respect to said surface, a clamping element pivotally supported in said bearings and arranged over and longitudinally of said means, said element comprising an elongated cylindrical rod having projecting pintle ends mounted in said bearings and substantially semi-circular in cross sectional form, and said pintle ends being of less radius than the radius of the rod and formed on centers oifset with respect to the center axis of the rod, thus forming of the rod an eccentric cooperating with the first named means in clamping a sup ort between the rod and said means.

13. In buckles of the class described, a buckle frame, means transversing one end of the frame forming a support engaging surface bearing at the end of said means and raised with respect to said surface, a clamping element pivotally supported in said bearings and arranged over and longitudinally of said means, said element comprising an elongated cylindrical rod having projecting pintle ends mounted in said bearings and substantially semi-circular in cross sectional form, said pintle ends being of less radius than the radius of the rod and formed on centers offset with respect to the center axis of the rod, thus forming of the rod an eccentric cooperating with the first named means in clamping a support between the rod and said means, and said element having an extending fingerpiece portion of a width substantially equal to the length of said rod.

14. In buckles of the class described, a buckle frame, means transversing one end of the frame forming a support engaging surface bearing at the end of said means and raised with respect to said surface, a clamping element pivotally supported in said bearings and arranged over and longitudinally of said means, said element comprising an elongated cylindrical rod having projecting pintle ends mounted in said bearings and substantially semi-circular in cross sectional form, said pintle ends being of less radius than the radius of the rod and formed on centers offset with respect to the center axis of the rod, thus forming of the rod an eccentric cooperating with the first named means in clamping a support between the rod and said means, the other end portion of the buckle frame being offset in the same direction as said bearings, the rod of said element having an extending plate portion adapted to lie over and cover the last named end portion of the frame when said element is in closed position, and said plate portion forming a fingerpiece for actuating said element.

15. In buckles of the class described, a buckle frame, means transversing one end of the frame forming a support engaging surface bearing at the end of said means and raised with respect to said surface, a clamping element pivotally supported in said bearings and arranged over and longitudinally of said means, said element comprising an elongated cylindrical rod having mejecting pintle ends mounted in said bearings and substantially semi-circular in cross sectional form, said pintle ends being of less radius than the radius of the rod and formed on centers offset with respect to the center axis of the rod, thus forming of the rod an eccentric cooperating with the first named means in clamping a support between the rod and said means, the other end portion of the buckle frame being offset in the same direction as said bearings, the rod of said element having an extending plate portion adapted to lie over and cover the last named end portion of the frame when said element is in closed position, said plate portion forming a fingerpiece for actuating said element, the offset end portion of the frame joining the first named end thereof in an angular wall, and means reinforcing said angular wall of the frame.

16. A reversible buckle comprising a frame offset centrally to form end plates arranged in difi'erent parallel planes, a clamp member movable toward and from opposed surfaces of said end plates, said members each comprising fingerpiece parts and clamping rods at one end of said parts, and means for pivotally mounting the rods in connection with the end plates to form eccentrics of said rods cooperating with the end plates in clamping supports arranged therebetween.

DONALD A. SEAVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 394,014 Rubin Dec. 4, 1888 676,198 Molloy June 11, 1901 837,656 Baldwin Dec. 4, 1906 960,593 Smith June 7, 1910' 1,097,182 Meserole May 19, 1914 2,290,573 Rasp July 21, 1942 2,287,722 Beazley June 23, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 132,910 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1919 664,741 Germany Sept. 3, 1938 

